History
About a decade ago, a slow revolution started in travel. Seasoned travellers started to want more than the sometimes meaningless luxury that the majority of international luxury resorts offered. They wanted their accommodation and experience, especially in places as wild and raw as Africa, to reflect their destination. They wanted to get under the skin of a place, even if they were only visiting for a short time. In short, the name of the game became authenticity; using local guides who could open up the best of the local culture. And they wanted all of this without having to rough it, or compromise on delicious food, chic surrounds, or amazing service.
Thus Sanctuary Retreats was born, launching with its first luxury camp, Olonana, in Kenya. Sanctuary Retreats soon spread out across Africa, opening lodges in Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as tented camping across East Africa. And we now offer serviced villas in France, Spain and Italy, as well as expedition cruising in China, Egypt and the Galapagos Islands. Each Sanctuary property has the same aim: to allow guests to have a real experience, and enjoy a more natural kind of luxury.
Environment & Philanthropy
From Sanctuary Retreats’ beginnings in Kenya, a sense of corporate responsibility and a commitment to conservation and responsible tourism has been an integral part of the construction of our properties and our daily operations. The Sanctuary Retreats guest does not want to travel arrogantly, or ignorantly, without learning about their destination, or without an environmental conscience. Thus, across all our lodges and cruises, we have taken this responsibility seriously - including our sewerage and solid waste disposal practices, the cleaning products we choose and the power and water supplies we use.
The social, environmental and wildlife programmes we support through our African camps are extensive. We try, wherever possible, to use local labour and sustainable materials in construction, and to employ and train local staff; we work with local people to develop their businesses; and we support local womens’ projects and orphanages.
We have also been careful when choosing the ships for our expeditionary cruises. The M.S. Yangzi Explorer, in China’s Three Gorges region, has a state-of-the-art sewage system and recycling facilities. In the Galapagos, the M.V. Eclipse employs environmentally friendly on-board practices, including an on-board water treatment and desalination plant, eco waste disposal and biodegradable cleaning fluids and toiletries.
Recent Awards
Conde Nast Traveler
Gold List - Africa & the Middle East
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief's Camp, Sanctuary Olonana, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Gold List - Cruise Lines
M.V. Eclipse, M.S. Yangzi Explorer
World's Best Villa Rental Agencies
Sanctuary Villas
Reader's Choice Awards, Top 100
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief's Camp, Sanctuary Olonana
Travel & Leisure
World's Best 500
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief's Camp
World's Top 100
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief's Camp
Top 25 Africa & Middle East
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief's Camp
World's Top 15 Small Hotels
Sanctuary Chief's Camp
Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report
Hideaways of the Year
Sanctuary Olonana
Other Awards
Eco Tourism Kenya, Silver eco-rating certificate
Sanctuary Olonana
East African Wildlife Society, conservation supporter
Sanctuary Olonana